Michael gives Rivals a whirl

He plays Sir Anthony Absolute, in the British Actors Touring Company’s production of Sheridan’s The Rivals, which visits Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre next week.

Kate, who founded the company in the 1980s, plays the maid Lucy with Gabrielle Drake as the immortal Mrs Malaprop.

And Knight Mantell, who was acting in Somerset Maugham’s, The Circle at Guildford last week, puts on his director’s hat for The Rivals.

Michael has played many classical roles in his distinguished career, but this is his first venture into Sheridan.

He told me: “We have a real company spirit and it is particularly nice to see the younger members so full of enthusiasm.”

Michael was at Guildford last year with Susannah York in David Hare’s play Amy’s View, and he may be back there in a new play by Donald Churchill which starts a tour later in the year.

He and Gwen Taylor play a formerly married couple, who meet up again years after their

divorce.

On TV Michael had the perk of a trip to Spain for a special edition of EastEnders in which he played an ex-pat welcoming Barbara Windsor and other fugitives from Albert Square.

He has also been in Holby City and Casualty.

His movies include Bequest To The Nation, a screen version of Terence Rattigan’s play, in which he was Hardy to Peter Finch’s Nelson and which was directed by James Cellan Jones who is currently staging My Three Angels at The Mill at Sonning.

A longtime resident of Brighton, Michael is president of nearby Rottingdean cricket club, where he is known for his wily leg breaks.

M The Rivals has performances from Monday to Saturday for full details call (01483) 440 000.